Sanvitalia plant named ‘Santasol’ (S&amp;G 30038)

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Sanvitalia plant named &#39;Santasol&#39; (S&amp;G 30038) which is particularly distinguished by its very dark foliage, compact plant habit, and constant floridity during summer, also under South European conditions.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Sanvitalia×hybrida.

Varietal denomination: ‘Santasol’ (S&G 30038).

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Sanvitalia, botanically known as Sanvitalia×hybrida, native to South USA and Mexico. The new cultivar is propagated by cuttings resulting from a seedling from female plant Sanvitalia×hybrida identified as number ‘A 178’. The male parent is unidentified as the seedling was a result of a non-controlled pollination.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Sanvitalia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color, the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of this new Sanvitalia plant. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 27 weeks old plants, grown in an open field in Enkhuizen, Netherlands with day and night temperatures ranges from 15 to 30 degrees Centigrade, and night temperatures ranging from 5 to 18 degrees Centigrade.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar taken in a controlled environment in Enkhuizen, Netherlands since September 1999 has shown that the unique features of this new Sanvitalia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

Comparison between the new cultivar ‘Santasol,’ its parent and a similar cultivar ‘Santis 99-3’ ‘Yellow Beauty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. ‘Santasol’ (unpatented) PP 12,297) Flower size 1.3 1.6 1.6 Internode length 2.4 cm 3.1 cm 3.5 cm Leaf color 137B 137A 139A

The plant:

Classification.—Botanical. — Sanvitalia×hybrida cv. ‘Santasol’.

Parentage:

Female parent.—Seedling selection of Sanvitalia×hybrida, identified under number ‘A 178’, (unpatented).

Male parent.—Unidentified selection of Sanvitalia×hybrida (unpatented).

Propagation:

Type of cuttings.—Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—14 days at air temperature of 21 degrees Centigrade.

Time to develop roots.—21 days at air temperature of 17 degrees Centigrade.

Plant description:

Growth habit.—Spreading and trailing.

Plant height.—20-25 cm.

Vigour.—Vigorous.

Spreading area of plant.—50 cm.

Strength.—Good tolerance to heat and cold conditions and diseases and pests.

Branching character.—Freely branching and lateral branching at every node after pinching.

Quantity of branches.—20 branches per plant.

Crop time.—11 weeks to flowering from good developed rooted cutting.

The stem:

Diameter.—2-3 mm.

Shape.—Cylindrical.

Anthocyan pigmentation.—Present, 187A.

Length of internode.—30-40 mm depending on light conditions.

Pubescence.—Present, shorter than 1 mm.

Color.—Young stem N77A. Older stem N77A.

The foliage:

Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

Shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.

Leaf apex.—Rounded.

Leaf base.—Rounded.

Texture.—Sturdy hairy leaves.

Leaf length.—2.0-2.7 cm.

Leaf width.—0.7-1.2 cm.

Depth of incision.—No incision.

Color.—Upper side 137B with red edge. Lower side 137C.

Pubescence.—Hirsute orientation with white hairs.

Petiole.—Length No.

Venation.—Shape Pinnate. Color 137B.

Leaf anthocyanin coloration.—147A.

The flower bud:

Peduncle length.—2.0-2.5 cm.

Size of the bud.—Length 0.2-0.3 cm. Diameter 0.3-0.5 cm.

Shape.—Ball shape.

Color.—144B.

Inflorescence:

Diameter.—1.0-1.5 cm.

Form.—Capitulum with 1 series of ray florets and more series of disc florets.

Overlapping of ray florets.—No overlapping.

Receptacle.—Shape Convex. Height 2 mm. Color 144A.

Involucre.—5 bracts in 1 series.

Color.—144A.

Fragrance.—Absent.

Number of flowers per plant.—400-500 flowers per plant.

Lastingness of flowers.—±25 days.

Ray florets:

Number of ray florets per inflor.—13.

Size.—Length 4 mm. Width 2 mm.

Shape of florets.—Ovate.

Color.—Between 9A and 14A.

Disc florets:

No. of disc florets per inflor.—>100.

Size.—Length 2 mm. Width 1 mm.

Shape of florets.—Tubular.

Color.—153B.

Androecium:

Anther color.—153B.

Pollen color.—4A.

Amount of pollen.—Low.

Gynoecium:

Pistil number.—1 in each floret.

Style color.—9A.

Stigma color.—9A.

Seed:

Production.—10-13 seeds per capitulum.

Size.—Length 2 mm. Width 1 mm.

Color.—197A.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: Good tolerance to heat. Strong resistance to pests and diseases. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Sanvitalia plant, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 